Mounting assembly for expansion cards

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly includes a chassis having a wall, a fastener pivotally attached to the wall, and a cover detachably attached to the chassis. The wall forms a support portion for supporting a slot cover of an expansion card thereon. The fastener includes a pressing portion for pressing the slot cover against the support portion when the fastener is pivoted to a locked position. The cover is engagable with the fastener to secure the fastener in the locked position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mounting assemblies, and moreparticularly to a mounting assembly which readily and firmly secures aplurality of expansion cards in a computer chassis.

2. General Background

Nowadays, most computer systems or other electronic devices employ aplurality of circuit cards, such as expansion cards, adapters, and PCboards. These cards or boards are typically mounted to a computermotherboard in a perpendicular fashion relative to the computermotherboard. In particular, the cards are usually inserted into edgecard connectors, which are mounted on the computer motherboard. However,merely inserting a card into an edge card connector is typicallyinsufficient to securely maintain the card within the computer chassis.A card connected in this fashion could easily disconnect from the edgecard connector, which may prevent, or significantly inhibit, acceptableoperation of the computer. Accordingly, additional structure is normallyrequired to secure a card within a computer chassis. A conventionalmanner of securing a card within a computer chassis is to provide a cardbracket fastened to the computer chassis with a removable screw.Specifically, each mounting bracket is normally disposed across a cardslot formed in the computer chassis and may include an aperture throughwhich the fastener screw may pass. However, securing a card-mountingbracket to a computer chassis by using a screw that passes through thebracket and into the computer chassis may present problems. Onesignificant disadvantage of a screw-secured bracket is that the screw isoften inadvertently dropped into the computer chassis duringinstallation and removal of the bracket.

A typical mounting assembly for securing expansion cards includes a rearpanel and a fixing cover attached to the rear panel. The rear paneldefines a plurality of expansion slots for receiving expansion cards. Afixing plate is stamped from the rear panel adjacent to an end of theexpansion slots and forms a plurality of protrusions. Each expansioncard includes a slot cover forming a bent portion for abutting againstthe fixing plate. Each bent portion defines a cutout for engaging withthe protrusion of the fixing plate thereby positioning the expansioncard. The fixing cover forms a plurality of elastic tabs for pressingthe bent portion of the slot cover thereby fixing the expansion card. Apair of through holes is defined in the fixing cover and a pair of screwholes is correspondingly defined in the rear panel. A pair of boltsextends through the through holes and threadedly engages in the screwholes thereby fixing the fixing cover to the rear panel. However, theabove-described operation of the mounting assembly for securingexpansion cards is comparatively complicated.

What is needed, therefore, is a mounting assembly which readily andfirmly secures a plurality of expansion cards to a computer chassis.

SUMMARY

A mounting assembly includes a chassis having a wall, a fastenerpivotally attached to the wall, and a cover detachably attached to thechassis. The wall forms a support portion for supporting a slot cover ofan expansion card thereon. The fastener includes a pressing portion forpressing the slot cover against the support portion when the fastener ispivoted to a locked position. The cover is engagable with the fastenerto secure the fastener in the locked position.

Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments with the attacheddrawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of part of a mounting assembly inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mountingassembly including a computer chassis, a fastener, a expansion card, anda top cover;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the fastener of FIG. 1, but viewed fromanother aspect;

FIG. 3 is a pre-assembled view of part of the mounting assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a pre-assembled view of part of the mounting assembly of FIG.1, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of part of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 6 is another assembled view of part of the mounting assembly ofFIG. 1, with the top cover mounted to the computer chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting assembly of an electronic device like acomputer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,which secures a plurality of expansion cards to a computer chassis,includes a computer chassis 10, a fastener 20, an expansion card 50, anda top cover 60.

The computer chassis 10 includes a rear wall 11. A top edge of the rearwall 11 is bent horizontally to form a flange 112. The flange 112defines a narrow cutout 113 therein. A first supporting member 12 and asecond supporting member 14 are securely mounted to the rear wall 11.The first supporting member 12 has a mounting portion 121, and asupporting portion 123 connected perpendicularly with the mountingportion 121. The mounting portion 121 can be securely fixed to the rearwall 11 by a well-known method, such as by a screw, a rivet, or bywelding. The supporting portion 123 defines a pivot hole 125 therein. Afirst positioning hole 126 and a second positioning hole 127 are definedin the supporting portion 123, situated on the same circular orbit. Thesecond supporting member 14 has a mounting portion 141, and a supportingportion 143 connected perpendicularly with the mounting portion 141. Themounting portion 141 can be fixedly secured to the rear wall 11 by awell-known method, such as by a screw, a rivet, or by welding. Thesupporting portion 143 defines a pivot hole 145 therein. The rear wall11 forms a horizontal support plate 17 by stamping between the first andsecond supporting members 12, 14. A plurality of juxtaposed expansioncard slots 15 is defined in the support plate 17 and the rear wall 11. Aprotruding post 171 is formed on the support plate 17 between adjacenteach expansion card slot 15. A receiving portion 13 is defined in therear wall 11 below each expansion card slot 15.

The expansion card 50 has a slot cover 51 perpendicularly attached to arear edge thereof. The slot cover 51 has a bent fixing portion 52 at afree end thereof, and an insert portion 53 at an opposite end thereof.The fixing portion 52 defines a U-shaped cutout 521 therein.

The top cover 60 is detachably mounted to the computer chassis 10. Thetop cover 60 includes a main body 61, and a flange 62 connectedperpendicularly with the main body 61.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fastener 20 has a vertical portion 21 and ahorizontal pressing portion 25 connected perpendicularly with thevertical portion 21. Two opposite free ends of the vertical portion 21are bent perpendicularly to form a first flap 22 and a second flap 24. Afirst pivot pin 225 is formed on the first flap 22, and a projection 227is also formed on the first flap 22, adjacent to the first pivot pin225. A second pivot pin 245 is formed on the second flap 24. Thepressing portion 25 defines a plurality of through holes 251 forextension of the protruding posts 171 therethrough. An operating portion27 is formed on one side of the pressing portion 25 for convenientlyoperating the fastener 20.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, in pre-assembly of the mountingassembly, the first and second pivot pins 225, 245 of the fastener 20are first mounted to the pivot holes 125, 145 respectively, therebyallowing rotation of the fastener 20 about the first and second pivotpins 225, 245. The fastener 20 is pivoted upward until the projection227 of the first flap 22 engages in the second positioning hole 127 ofthe first supporting member 12. This is the unlocked position and themounting assembly is ready to receive the expansion card 50. The insertportion 53 of the slot cover 51 inserts into the receiving portion 13 ofthe chassis 10. At the same time, the fixing portion 52 is disposed onthe support plate 17, and the protruding post 171 of the support plate17 extends through the cutout 521 of the fixing portion 52, therebyengaging in the cutout 521. Then, the fastener 20 is pivoted downwarduntil the projection 227 of the first flap 22 engages in the firstpositioning hole 126 of the first supporting member 12. This is thelocked position and the pressing portion 25 of the fastener 20cooperates with the support plate 17 of the rear wall 11 to sandwich thefixing portion 52 of the slot cover 51 therebetween. The expansion card50 is thus locked in position.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in assembly of the expansion card 50, theoperating portion 27 of the fastener 20 is pulled down to urge thefastener 20 to pivot about the first and second pivot pins 225, 245 ofthe fastener 20. When the projection 227 of the first flap 22 disengagesfrom the second positioning hole 127 of the first supporting member 12,and the projection 227 engages in the first positioning hole 126 of thefirst supporting member 12, the pressing portion 25 of the fastener 20tightly presses on the fixing portion 52 of the slot cover 51. Becausethe projection 227 engages in the first positioning hole 126, thefastener 20 is prevented from further rotation. Simultaneously, theprotruding post 171 of the support plate 17 extends through the throughhole 251 of the fastener 20, thereby fixedly mounting the expansion card50 to the computer chassis 10. Moreover, a top end of the first flap 22snappingly engages in the narrow cutout 113 of the flange 112 of therear wall 11. Finally, the top cover 60 is mounted to the computerchassis 10. The main body 61 of the top cover 60 presses on the top endof the first flap 12, thereby further blocking the fastener 20 fromrotating. The flange 62 of the top cover 60 abuts against the rear wall11 of the computer chassis 10. Thus, the expansion card 50 is securelymounted to the computer chassis 10.

In removal of the expansion card 50, the top cover 60 is first removedfrom the computer chassis 10. The operating portion 27 is pushed upwardto urge the fastener 20 to rotate until the top end of the first flap 22disengages from the narrow cutout 113 of the rear wall 11 and theprojection 227 of the first flap 22 disengages from the firstpositioning hole 126 of the first supporting member 12. Thus, the fixingportion 52 of the slot cover 51 is released. When the projection 227engages in the second positioning hole 127 of the first supportingmember 12, the expansion card 50 can be easily removed from the chassis10.

In addition, in another preferred embodiment, different locatingstructures may be arranged on the chassis 10 and the fastener 20, forlocating the fastener 20 with respect to the rear wall 11. For example,the projection 227 can be replaced by a through hole, and the first andsecond positioning holes 126, 127 can be replaced by a projection.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofpreferred embodiments thereof, and the preferred embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the appended claims to details. Additionaladvantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The presentinvention is not limited to the specific details and illustrativeexamples described.

1. A mounting assembly comprising: an expansion card having a slotcover, the slot cover having a fixing portion; a chassis having a rearwall, the rear wall having a first supporting member and a secondsupporting member, the rear wall defining a card slot between the firstand the second supporting members for the slot cover covering thereon; afastener pivotally attached to the first and the second supportingmembers, the fastener having a flap, and a pressing portion pressing onthe fixing portion of the slot cover; and a cover attached to thechassis and engaging with the flap to fix the fastener to the chassis;wherein the rear wall defines a cutout for engagingly receiving the flaptherein.
 2. The mounting assembly as described in claim 1, wherein alocating structure is formed on the two supporting members and thefastener, for securing the fastener to the chassis.
 3. The mountingassembly as described in claim 2, wherein the locating structurecomprises a through hole defined in one of the two supporting members,and a projection formed on the flap of the fastener, the projectionengaging in the through hole.
 4. The mounting assembly as described inclaim 1, wherein the flap is formed at one end of the fastener, and thefastener forms another flap at one opposite end thereof, two pivot pinsare formed on the flap and the another flap respectively, the first andthe second supporting members define two pivot holes respectivelytherein for extension of the pivot pins therethrough.
 5. The mountingassembly as described in claim 1, wherein the rear wall is formed tohave a support plate, and the fixing portion of the slot cover issandwiched between the support plate and the pressing portion of thefastener.
 6. The mounting assembly as described in claim 5, wherein thefixing portion of the slot cover defines a cutout, and at least oneprotruding post is formed on the support plate, the post engaging in thecutout of the slot cover.
 7. The mounting assembly as described in claim6, wherein the pressing portion of the fastener defines at least onethrough hole for extension of the protruding post therethrough.
 8. Themounting assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the slot cover formsan insert portion at an end opposite to the fixing portion, and the rearwall of the chassis defines a receiving portion therein for receivingthe insert portion.
 9. A mounting assembly comprising: a chassiscomprising a rear wall, a support plate extending to an outer side ofthe rear wall, at least one card slot defined in the rear wall and thesupport plate for a slot cover covering thereon, the slot cover having afixing portion corresponding to the slot defined in the support plate tobe placed at the outer side of the rear wall; a fastener attached to thechassis at an inner side of the rear wall and pivotable between anunlocked position and a locked position, the fastener comprising apressing portion extending across the rear wall from the inner side ofthe rear wall to the outer side of the rear wall for pressing on thefixing portion of the slot cover in the locked position and forreleasing the fixing portion of the slot cover in the unlocked position;a locating structure formed on the chassis and the fastener forpreventing the fastener from rotation in the locked position; and a topcover attached to the chassis; wherein the fastener forms a flap pressedby the top cover, thereby mounting the fastener to the chassis; and therear wall defines a cutout for engagingly receiving the flap therein inthe locked position.
 10. The mounting assembly as described in claim 9,wherein the locating structure comprises a positioning hole defined inone of the chassis and the fastener, and a projection formed on theother of the chassis and the fastener, the projection engaging in thepositioning hole in the unlocked position.
 11. The mounting assembly asdescribed in claim 9, wherein the locating structure comprises a firstand a second positioning holes defined in one of the chassis and thefastener, and a projection formed on the other of the chassis and thefastener, the projection selectively engaging in the first and thesecond positioning holes in the unlocked position and the lockedposition, respectively.
 12. The mounting assembly as described in claim9, wherein the rear wall is formed to have a support plate, and thefixing portion of the slot cover is sandwiched between the support plateand the pressing portion of the fastener.
 13. An electronic devicecomprising: a chassis of the electronic device comprising a wall,forming a support portion for supporting a slot cover of an expansioncard thereon, a flange formed at one edge of the wall, and a cutoutdefined in the flange; a fastener pivotally attached to the wall, thefastener comprising a flap and a pressing portion for pressing the slotcover against the support portion when the fastener is pivoted to alocked position; and a cover detachably attached to the chassis, whereinthe flap is received in the cutout when the fastener is pivoted to thelocked position and the cover presses on the flap to prevent thefastener from rotating.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, whereinthe fastener and the chassis form a locating structure preventing thefastener from rotation.
 15. The electronic device of claim 14, whereinthe flap is formed at one end of the fastener, a supporting member isformed on the wall, a projection is formed on one of the flap and thesupporting member, a positioning hole is defined in the other of theflap and the supporting member, and the projection engages in thepositioning hole when the fastener is pivoted to the locked position.